When first-year students arrive at Ohio University, one of the first organizations they may hear about is Student Senate, the university’s student government.
Student Senate is a student-run body which represents the interests of OU’s student population. Its mission is to ensure students have a voice in university decision-making, according to its leaders.
“At the end of the day, what makes this university run is its students,” said Student Senate President Dan Gordillo. “Without the students, there's no university.”
Gordillo, a senior studying political science and linguistics, was elected for a second term as president, the first to do so since 2001. He said he decided to run again after deliberation and encouragement from peers.
To him, the most important part of being on the Student Senate is ensuring the best possible university experience for his fellow Bobcats.
Vice President Taras Tarasun oversees day-to-day operations, Treasurer Luke Fredricks manages finances and appropriations and Chief of Staff Landen Hensel enforces internal policy.
Student Senate is also organized into commissions, including Academic Affairs, Residence Life, Minority Affairs, LGBTQIA+ Affairs, Black Affairs, International Affairs, Women’s Affairs, Environmental Affairs, Governmental Affairs, Health Affairs and University Life. Each commission has senators, a commissioner and a vice commissioner.
The Student Senate office is located in Baker University Center 305 and is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Students can visit in person, email senate@ohio.edu or submit a student speak out form to share input.
General body meetings are held Wednesdays at 7:15 p.m., typically in Walter Hall 235. Meetings are open to the public, and students are encouraged to attend.
At the Sept. 3 meeting, Student Senate appointed several new members: Donald Theison, Katelynn Fox, Mark Vitelli, Mae Hu and Lucas Adkins to the Budget Committee; Fox, Avery Barker and Sydney Sobol to the Senate Appropriations Committee; Aidan Kirk as Residence Life Vice Commissioner; and Lola Morana as Academic Affairs Vice Commissioner.
Student Senate also sponsors campus events, including Finals Fest. Funding for such programs is allocated through the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Gordillo said his first term prioritized internal operations, while this year he plans to focus more on student outreach.
“One of my goals this year is to be where the students are,” Gordillo said.
He said student input is essential and encouraged students to attend meetings, visit the office or submit feedback forms.
“My favorite part is just the absolute amount of fulfillment that I feel from doing this. It really feels like I'm making an impact,” Gordillo said. “Even if it's the most minute thing, if it made somebody's life marginally better, I've done my job.”
